You can make a difference

Bright from the start

Welcome to Kingston Literacy and Skills!

The best way to predict your future is to create it, and Kingston Literacy and Skills (KL&S) will be there for you every step of the way.

A non-profit community organization composed of professional staff and devoted volunteers, KL&S delivers literacy upgrading and workforce preparation programming to adults and families in Kingston and its surrounding communities.

Since 1977, we have been committed to supporting adults with low literacy skills. We work with them to help them achieve their goals of further education, employment or independence.

Learn a little more about Kingston Literacy & Skills

A report by The Ontario Literacy Coalition and the Movement for Canadian Literacy reveals startling statistics that point to a dire need for change: 4 in 10 Ontarians aged 15 and over do not have the literacy skills they need to meet the demands of modern life. Not only that, but 1.3 million people struggle with very serious literacy challenges. They have difficulty with even the most basic written materials. Another 2.1 million people can work with print information, but not well. A further 1.8 million working-age Ontarians struggle with very serious numeracy challenges and they have difficulty with even the most basic math. Another 2.4 million people can work with numeracy but not well.

Despite these disconcerting numbers, less than five per cent participate in adult literacy programs.

What will this lead to? According to The Canadian Council on Learning, it is estimated that by 2031, more than 15 million Canadian adults will have low literacy levels. The impact of this could be far greater than we can ever begin to imagine.

Literacy is crucial to the success of individuals in both their career aspirations and their quality of life, says a 2008 report in Statistics Canada. According to the report, “Strong literacy skills are closely linked to the probability of having a good job, decent earnings, and access to training opportunities. Individuals with weak literacy skills are more likely to be unemployed or, if employed, to be in jobs that pay little or that offer poor

hours or working conditions.”

KL&S wants to change this. We aim to continually provide innovative programming that meets the needs of our students in order to help them reach their goals.

Some of our programs have been developed in partnership and through consultation with Ontario Works, Kingston Community Health Centres, Kingston Employment Youth Services, and Re-Start.

We also have long-standing partnerships with St. Lawrence College, the Limestone District School Board, the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, Kingston Frontenac Public Library, Queen’s University and the municipalities we serve.

Over the years, we have grown to include Family and Early Literacy (FEL) as well as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) programming.

KL&S is a recognized leader and pioneer in the literacy sector. Our history of community support, successful volunteer recruitment and management, and effective working partnerships with a variety of organizations in Kingston and surrounding area has contributed to our longevity and the positive impact we have on the communities we serve.

ADULT LITERACY

Education is the key to change. Are you ready to welcome a change of your own? Yes? That’s great! Following a quick phone call, KL&S will make sure we’re a good fit for you. If we are, we book an assessment appointment, usually within just a couple of weeks. Don’t worry: we don’t want super-personal information; we just need to know enough about where you’re at.

FAMILY & EARLY LITERACY

Family Literacy is about the ways families use literacy and language in their daily lives. It’s the way they learn; the way in which they use literacy to complete everyday tasks; how parents or caregivers help children develop literacy skills; and how families use literacy to maintain relationships with both each other and the community, including with organizations and institutions.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Welcome to Canada! Or, more specifically, welcome to Kingston, affectionately known to many as “The Limestone City.” Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) offers free English classes for Newcomers to Canada. It is funded by the Government of Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

SPELLING BEE

One of Kingston’s most un-BEElievably exciting events. The Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee will be back in full force in the Spring 2018 with a new look, new design, new words and new exciting format. See what all the BUZZ is about!